Keeping in Touch in Brazil

Expats living in Brazil will find that while they can immerse themselves in their adopted home, keeping in touch with everyone back home is also made easy thanks to the country’s well-developed telecommunications and internet resources.

Internet in Brazil

High-speed internet is readily available and fairly reliable in most Brazilian cities. You’ll find several broadband access options available for home use. Service can be fairly expensive depending on your desired download speed. Some providers offer bundles with multiple services, such as internet, cable and phone. This can often work out cheaper than paying for services individually. In rural areas of Brazil, the infrastructure is less developed.

WiFi availability is constantly increasing in major cities and tourist destinations. A range of locations, from coffee shops to public parks, offer free WiFi hotspots.

Online censorship

Brazil generally maintains open internet access, although isolated platform restrictions have occurred. X (formerly Twitter) was banned in August 2024 due to non-compliance with court orders but was restored in October 2024 after compliance. Telegram was briefly blocked for two days in 2022 before meeting regulatory requirements. Data sharing disputes led to WhatsApp being temporarily blocked in 2015 and 2016.

Useful links

• Anatel: Consumer Internet Information
• Vivo: Internet Plans
• Claro: Broadband Services
• NET: Internet Services

Mobile phones in Brazil

The mobile phone industry in Brazil continues to grow steadily with ongoing infrastructure investment. Service providers and the government continue to invest in improved service, but throughout the country, cellular coverage ranges from excellent to nonexistent.

Mobile phone use in Brazil is high. All types of mobile phones, from the most basic to the highest-quality smartphones, are available. With the government imposing high import taxes on electronic devices manufactured outside Brazil, they tend to be exorbitantly priced. It may be best for expats to bring an unlocked phone from their home country.

You can choose between prepaid and postpaid plans with any of the major providers. Prepaid options offer flexibility for short-term stays, while postpaid plans typically provide better value for heavy users. Plans tend to include a combination of calls, messaging, and data.

Useful links

• Anatel: Mobile Phone Consumer Guide
• Vivo: Mobile Plans and Services
• Claro: Mobile Phone Plans
• TIM: Mobile Plans

Postal services in Brazil

Brazil has a well-developed postal service. Post offices are plentiful, and the mailing of letters and packages is relatively simple. The service can be slow but is generally reliable.

Receiving packages can present some challenges for expats, as Brazil has steep import taxes. Packages sent from abroad may be subject to fees multiple times the value of the contents. Under the current system, packages valued up to USD 50 are subject to a 20 percent import tax. Any package stopped by customs will also take longer to arrive than expected.

Useful links

• Correios: Official Brazilian Postal Service
• Federal Revenue: International Package Regulations

English media in Brazil

International and local news sources are widely accessible in Brazil. You can reach online sources from almost anywhere. In cities, newsstands will sell a range of Brazilian newspapers and magazines. Larger stands and bookshops will have foreign titles available as well.

The Rio Times is Brazil’s main English-language newspaper. International streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime operate in Brazil, although some content may differ from other regions due to licensing agreements.

Useful links

• The Rio Times: English News from Brazil
• Brasil de Fato: English Section